Courts / Dublin / Report

Action by McGuinness relative over seized phones is struck out

Summary

A High Court judge struck out an injunction application brought by Barbara Sloan, a sister‑in‑law of the late Cyril McGuinness, who died after a police raid in the UK. Sloan had travelled to the UK with McGuinness's widow, Mary, when they were removed from a flight at Dublin Airport and held by Garda detectives for two hours. Two mobile phones were seized. Sloan sought the return of the phones, claiming they contained private and business information. The judge noted the phones were taken in early November and said there was no urgency to the matter, suggesting an application under the 1897 Police Property Act would be more appropriate. The injunction was struck out and the Commissioner was awarded legal costs. Sloan may appeal the decision to the Court of Appeal, and her claim for damages remains pending.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Action by McGuinness relative over seized phones is struck out. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• 2019-12-19 Publication

Why: Counsel added that an application under the Police Property Act was not appropriate in this case and the matter was not brought earlier because of recent illness to a member of his client's legal team. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report